CHICAGO – Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and PepsiCo will begin displaying calorie counts on vending machines as part of a new disclosure program. The Calories Count Vending Program will kick off in municipal buildings in Chicago and San Antonio beginning in 2013 and then expand nationwide, according to the American Beverage Association.

The beverage giants will work with vending operators to increase the availability of lower-calorie beverages in machines. The fronts of beverage vending machines will display "Calories Count" signage, reminding consumers to consider calories in their beverage choices with such messages as "Check then choose" and "Try a low-calorie beverage." Each selection button will also display calorie counts per beverage container.

"Everyone who works in or visits a municipal building in Chicago and San Antonio will know exactly how many calories are in their favorite beverages before making a vending machine purchase," Susan Neely, president of the American Beverage Association said.

The program builds upon previous voluntary beverage industry initiatives that removed full-calorie beverages from schools and placed new calorie labels on the front of beverage packaging.